Discussion

Empanada Guy

Empanada Guy makes decent empanadas. They are expensive but wife liked them. I have gone there for the last time. Jump off Parkway to bring home some dinner and no truck there. This isn't the first time he was a no show. The point of a lunch truck is to be there for lunch. Went to the restaurant in Freehold three times. Was only open once. I find out he closes to attend festivals. I understand the easy cash but to hurt your regulars doesn't make sense to me. Complained to him on his Facebook page his customer service was even worse. Removed my post and banned me. Said he needed to stop the snow ball effect. Then told me to show up and confront him in person. Not really a smart way to deal with customers. Back to Karini in Perth Amboy or El Familiar in Toms River. They both have treated me well.

From the OP: "Complained to him on his Facebook page his customer service was even worse. Removed my post and banned me. Said he needed to stop the snow ball effect. Then told me to show up and confront him in person. Not really a smart way to deal with customers."

At the Laurita winery food festival this guy had the longest line by far. People were waiting a LONG time to get his food so he is doing something right. I wanted to try it but didn't feel like standing there for 30 minutes or more.

While I also hate when places have inconsistent hours, I can see why he goes to festivals. money talks....plain and simple.

This guy was actually outside the truck and people were taking pictures with him. I guess he is a foodie celebrity : )

An empanada may have meat, beans and/or cheese or any combination there of and is similar to the hand-held fried pie with fruit that we have in the US. The pastry will differ slightly from country to country.

I've never seen them called a "meat-pie" in the Caymans, but it's probably a loose language translation.

FWIW, I have received only courteous service from the owner and his staff at the restaurant in Freehold. I know that at least on Facebook, these guys are really good about letting their customers know where their trucks are going to be located and to give notice when a truck is not going to be in its usual location. They also advise when they need to shut down the restaurant's operations in order to prepare for weekend food events. Certainly does you no good if you haven't seen the notice, but I think they are trying to get the word out so that people aren't disappointed.